at 18:30 (JST), November 28

Asian View
"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.





https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20231128183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : spy satellite exercise
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231127_22/

North Korea has described its launch of a military spy satellite as an exercise of its right to self-defense.

The country's foreign ministry on Monday issued a statement about the device.

The document was released Monday through the state-run Korean Central News Agency ahead of a UN Security Council emergency meeting later in the day. The gathering was held to address North Korea's launch of the satellite last Tuesday.

The North Korean statement cites the repeated deployment of US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and other vessels in waters near the Korean Peninsula.

It calls the satellite's deployment "a legitimate and just exercise of the right to self-defense aimed at correctly seeing through and thoroughly coping with the grave military moves of the US and its followers."

It adds that "to make it crystal-clear that the US and the West's outrageous and illegal interference in the internal affairs of independent sovereign countries," North Korea will "squarely, unhesitatingly and perfectly exercise its sovereign rights including satellite launch."

North Korea has announced its plan to launch more spy satellites, although such actions are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Key words : fighting myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231127_10/

Myanmar's military appears to be losing ground one month after ethnic minority militants launched joint attacks against it.

The attacks began October 27 in the eastern state of Shan and have allowed the militants to take control of some towns and military posts near Myanmar's border with China.

Myanmar's military seized power in a coup in 2021.

State-run media said 120 trucks carrying goods from China were seen burning Thursday after being attacked by the minority group's drones.

Two days later, Chinese forces announced they started drills partly based on a scenario in which the border between the two countries had been closed.

Pro-democracy forces are also working with the ethnic militants to expand the fighting. More than 250 military members and their families have reportedly surrendered.

Nakanishi Yoshihiro, an associate professor at Kyoto University, says it had been difficult for ethnic minorities and pro-democracy forces to coordinate their operations, but they are working together this time to launch offensives against the military. He says the military does not seem to have enough power to hit back, and its areas of control have been decreasing little by little.

Key words : health authorities china
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231127_11/

Health authorities in China say a recent surge in respiratory illnesses in the country's north is mainly due to the influenza virus.

The National Health Commission told a news conference on Sunday that multiple other pathogens are also among the respiratory diseases reported since mid-October.

The authorities said that in addition to the flu, the rhinovirus, a common cold virus, is prevalent among children aged 1 to 4. They also said mycoplasma pneumonia, which causes such symptoms as fever and cough, is also widespread among those aged 5 to 14, while COVID-19 is among the primary illnesses for people aged 15 to 59.

Health officials are calling on people to take thorough anti-infection measures, including getting vaccinated and wearing masks.

Last Wednesday, the World Health Organization asked China for information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and clusters of child pneumonia.

The Chinese side responded that they have not detected any novel or unusual pathogens.

Key words : north guard post bilateral deal
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231127_23/

The South Korean military says North Korea is putting guard posts back near the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas. The North had previously removed the posts under a 2018 bilateral deal aimed at easing tensions between them.

The South's military said on Monday it confirmed the move, which likely started on Friday.

It released photos showing North Korean soldiers standing near the post, transporting heavy firearms.

The development followed Pyongyang's announcement on Thursday that it would resume "all military measures" suspended under the deal.

It was responding to South Korea's resumption of reconnaissance activities near the military demarcation line, suspending part of the 2018 agreement.

Seoul had taken this step in response to North Korea's launch of what it called a military spy satellite last Tuesday.

Key words : researcher red light
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231127_13/

A group of researchers in Japan has started a clinical trial to help prevent the progression of adults' high myopia, or severe short-sightedness, with red-light therapy.

Researchers led by Professor Ohno-Matsui Kyoko of Tokyo Medical and Dental University are conducting the trial of the therapy.

Severe myopia is said to cause deformed eyeballs as it progresses. The condition raises risks of retinal detachment or glaucoma, which could lead to sight impairment or loss.

The group says repeatedly exposing the eyes to red light is expected to help thicken the membrane covering retina, thereby helping to prevent progression of eyeball deformation and myopia.

The trial involves 30 people aged 18 or older who have high myopia. The group plans to apply red light for three minutes twice a day over a duration of two months, and study the therapy's effectiveness and safety.

The group says it is the first such trial for adults, even though the therapy has been approved for children in some countries abroad.

Ohno-Matsui says it has been difficult to treat severe myopia progression leading to loss of sight. She says it would be a breakthrough if the therapy's effectiveness is confirmed as the treatment could be used even at home.

Key words : health ministry panel
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231128_03/

A Japanese health ministry panel has said a coronavirus vaccine developed by Daiichi Sankyo can be used for inoculations in Japan. It would be the first Japanese-made COVID shot available for practical use.

The panel of experts held a meeting on Monday. The experts said they confirmed the vaccine's effectiveness, and that they have no serious concerns over its safety.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company applied in September for approval of the vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 coronavirus subvariant.

Officials say the vaccine will be sent to municipalities across the country as early as December, after it gets formal approval from the health ministry.

Japan has been using vaccines developed by foreign firms such as Pfizer and Moderna. Daiichi Sankyo's earlier vaccine targeting the conventional type of coronavirus strain was not used for inoculations, despite gaining approval in August.

The ministry earlier said it agreed to purchase 1.4 million doses of the XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine from Daiichi Sankyo, after it gave the greenlight to the firm's plan to manufacture and sell it.

Key words : visitor escape
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231128_17/

The main features of a new theme park being built in Okinawa, southwestern Japan, have been announced.

The company planning the facility in the north of the subtropical prefecture said on Monday it will be called "Junglia."

The park is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.

Company officials say visitors will be able to take balloon rides and enjoy panoramic views of the forest and the sea. There will also be a safari experience in which visitors escape from a lifelike dinosaur in an off-road vehicle.

The theme park will extend over 60 hectares on the site of a former golf course, making it one of the largest in the country.

The planning firm says it wants to contribute to revitalizing Okinawa's economy and help turn the prefecture into a top tourist destination in Asia.